Concept

The Metaphor of the Ghouls' Cries and the Touchstone in the Masnavi

In Jalaluddin Rumi's Masnavi, the danger of worldly deception is explored through the metaphors of counterfeit gold and the alluring "cries of ghouls." Rumi warns that the material world tempts individuals with false gold, representing the hollow desires for wealth, rank, and reputation. To avoid being drawn to spiritual ruin—like a traveler lured away from a caravan by the familiar voices of ghouls—a seeker must possess an inner "touchstone" to discern true spiritual gold from worldly counterfeit. If one lacks this intrinsic discernment, Rumi advises pledging oneself to a wise spiritual guide or "knower." Ultimately, he urges the seeker to silence these inward voices of ego in order to enter the "workshop of nonexistence," a state where the true Craftsman (God) can be perceived beyond the veil of physical creation.

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Updated 2026-05-16

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